A former inmate at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre (PGRCC) has filed a civil claim alleging Corrections Officers ignored 'repeated and continuous calls for help' after a fellow inmate passed out and later died during a transfer.
The action has been filed against Her Majesty The Queen in Right of the Province of British Columbia as represented by the Ministry of Attorney General, as well as James Brown and Bruce Cox, identified as the Corrections Officers in question.
In a civil claim filed on Monday (June 22), Gordon Michael Hansen says on Oct. 4, 2018, he, and several other inmates were being involuntarily moved to another detention facility in the lower mainland, travelling in tiny compartments wearing shackles and handcuffs seated on metal benches without seatbelts.
The claim says on Highway 97 south of Quesnel, another inmate (referred to as 'Inmate Joseph' in court documents) 'ingested something' and apparently passed out before sliding off the bench.
"The Plaintiff attempted to get 'Inmate Joseph' to respond but he was not responsive."
Hansen goes on to explain he and other inmates were pounding on walls and shouting, but Officers Brown and Cox did not pull over to see what was happening.
He also alleges the officers slammed on the breaks and made inmates fall in response to the noises.
Inmates were hoping that the two officers would see that 'Inmate Joseph' was in distress through cameras that are placed in the van.
The claim says the van then stopped for coffee in Williams Lake, but officers once again did not acknowledge the alleged calls for help that were being made.
The van then continued on Highway 97 and finally stopped roughly 50 km south of Williams Lake to check on the situation, but the inmate was unresponsive.
A passerby at the time performed CPR, but could not resuscitate 'Inmate Joseph.'
Paramedics allegedly showed up 40 minutes after.
"The Correctional Officers of the Prince George Regional Corrections Centre are responsible for the care of Mr. Hansen," the claim reads. "The Correctional Officers owe Mr. Hansen a duty of care while transporting him in BC Corrections vans."
"The Corrections Officers breached their duty of care to Mr. Hansen and failed to exercise the standard of care required of a reasonable and careful person by failing to respond to repeated and continuous calls for help, thus not provided the proper assistance to 'Inmate Joseph' allowing him to die in the Corrections van. As a result of these actions by the Correctional Officers Mr Hansen suffered personal harm of a psychological and emotional nature."
In the claim submitted by Hanson's lawyer Kristian Vicei, he has allegedly suffered the following injuries:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Nervous Shock
- Insomnia
- Depressive Exhaustion
- Flashbacks
- Headaches
- Any further injuries that may not have been evident at this time
Relief being sought by Hansen are:
- General damages
- Pecuniary damages
- Punitive damages
- Interest pursuant to the Court Order Interest Act R.S.B.C. 1996 c. 79
- Costs of this action
- Such further and other relief as to this honourable court may deem just and met
None of the claims by Hansen have been proven in court and none of the defendants has filed responses.
BC Coroners Service spokesperson Andy Watson says its investigation is still ongoing in an email to PrinceGeorgeMatters.
"Our investigation into the death of Mr. Joseph remains open. At this stage, it would be inappropriate for us to comment during the course of an open investigation."
BC Corrections said in an emailed statement to PrinceGeorgeMatters they are unable to comment on the matter, as it is before the courts.
